Instant Kiwis normalise gambling - claim
Instant Kiwi scratchcards have played a key part in the "normalisation of the problem," the Gambling Foundation says.
Instant Kiwi scratchcards have played a key part in the "normalisation of the problem," the Gambling Foundation says.
A banned poker machine addict slipped through all SkyCity's safety systems to play his way to VIP status in the casino's high-roller room - blowing $500,000 in the process.
Sarah was losing her husband. It wasn't another woman who had slipped into her life. Instead, John was taken by SkyCity casino.
John Key's deal with SkyCity exposes how government leadership interacts with gambling and other addiction industries, writes Peter Adams. Two things stand out in the deal where Mr Key gets a new convention centre.
Nine out of every 10 people in Auckland want cuts to the number of poker machines in the poorest and most vulnerable parts of the city.
The gambling-charity boss overseeing pokies in pubs and bars has launched a blistering attack on the problem-gambling industry.
It's a particularly nasty insult because local community groups have worked hard to reduce pokie numbers, writes John Minto.
SkyCity got special treatment in its pitch to build the international convention centre - but nothing which will get in the way of a formal deal being struck.
SkyCity Entertainment Group was trading near an annual high yesterday, even before its lucrative convention centre deal clearance.
Prime Minister John Key is confident there is nothing in a report tomorrow on how his controversial pokies for convention centre arrangement with SkyCity was struck that will prevent the projected from going ahead.
New figures show a sharp rise in gambling problems linked to Lotto, and health officials blame big jackpots.
In the heart of the Waikato, a small health provider dared to step out from the pack. Lotto, warned Hauora Waikato, has dangers.
The amount of money dropped into New Zealand pokie machines fell by more than 3 per cent last year, according to new Government figures.
The public health experts who once led SkyCity's problem gambling programme say the casino doesn't do enough to prove they stop punters becoming addicts.
New Zealanders lost a record $2.07 billion gambling last year with bets totalling more than $16 billion - or more than $3600 for every man, woman and child.
Pubs and bars are pushing for a gambling law change to allow them to take a profit on pokie machines, reducing the amount that gets paid back to the community.
On Friday, Auckland couple Olivia and Brent were struck by the overwhelming joy and financial worry of finding out they were having a baby.
A couple were told at two outlets they were too late to get a Lotto ticket before chancing upon a store still open and buying their ticket.
The organisers of Lotto say they will review safety on the set of their Saturday night television show.
Brian Rudman asks: "If a national convention centre is the vital piece of missing infrastructure to guarantee our future prosperity, why are they shackling it to the whims of a gambling empire?"
New Zealand First representation for Tauranga will now be shared by leader Winston Peters and the party's other MPs after the expulsion of Brendan Horan.
Winston Peters has defended the expulsion of NZ First list MP Brendan Horan from the party.